Not sure what I got myself into - Alfa 156 V6

[Fergo86]

Hello everyone,
I´m from the Hunter valley NSW, living in Maitland and just bought my first Alfa!

I came across a 2001 Alfa 156 2.5L V6 /Q-System that had only 130,000kms and full service history from Sydney (mostly) alfa mechanics (timing belt changed at 110,000kms) It sounded amazing & had leather seats and so I bought it despite friends warning me not to.. I was unsure how to feel about it, my head said not to.. My first 6 cylinder car and I am no mechanic!

From the start it had a bit of lag from the throttle pedal so I tried an ECU + Throttle reset. she runs great with a light touch- might just be Alfas or the Q-system I thought.. after cleaning out the air filter+box & MAF I drove 1km fine then went to take off and it had a real lack of power, wouldn´t respond in auto nor in gears to me planting my foot repeatedly. with some pumping the revs picked up erratically and I limped off the road.. could it still be the MAF sensor plug failing at the wiring?. I also suspect the throttle peddle is shot. Ordered a new MAF

Today leaving work I had -no- power, Disconnected the MAF and got my throttle response back. got home cleaned MAF and all connections I could. found two cables under the air intake one blue one green - that basically disintegrated in hand! taped them up with rubber hose and tape, took it for a spin and it was responsive like never before! I am in love all over again! I go to move her half an hour later and it doesn´t start. eventually starts and Injector warning light comes on!

I CANT TAKE THIS HEARTBREAK!!! 
Its like each time Im getting seduced then rejected by a girl that is too good for me and needs a real mechanic!

I got it cheap but it seems I need to replace all the cabling, probably some lambda sensors..
I need a manual to find the names of parts..but damn I love this engine and I will try to revive it if I don´t go broke doing so!
Any pointers, manuals? AlfaDiag site is down and I only found one parts catalogue online, in Russian.

Please anyone who knows a wreckers near Maitland/Cessnock/Newcastle with an Alfa 156 please tell me, I am calling around

Any good Alfa mechanics in this region?

I have downloaded MultiECUscan and am looking for interface+adapter so any tips on buying those ?

Sorry for all the questions but I have been reading old forum posts for weeks and am reaching out for help because I love this car!  If I can replace the old cables and wires, maybe hoses... water pump, then I will keep it forever!

[poohbah]

Being in WA, I can't suggest any local workshops mate, but someone on here should be able to no problem.

I just wanted to say stick with it, shouldn't be too hard for an Alfa specialist to sort out. I'm onto my second 156 v6 and love getting into it every day.

[lombardi]

The most North in sydney specialist on Alfa's is Arnaldo and Pino at Hornsby , maybe u have to organise a tow . I guess Newcastle might have someone that knows Alfa's.

[Neil Choi]

I got this, but yet to connect up due to COM port not configured.  Will figure it out soon.


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/322419774828

[poohbah]

Fergo, couple of things to keep in mind. Check the service records to see how long ago the timing belt was changed. If it was more than than 3 years ago, it'll need doing again regardless of how many kms its done since the prior change (interval for the V6 is 60,000km or 3 years, whichever comes first). Also, the water-pump should be changed at the same time to one with a metal impeller.

I've found with both of my 156s, that I had to spend roughly as much as the purchase price in the first 18 months on mechanical work. (Actually, that holds true for my '81 GTV coupe as well...)

They do typically cost more for annual maintenance than newer "home-brand" vehicles, but then you pay far less on purchase for a car you actually enjoy driving. Nothing with less than 8 cylinders sounds as good as the Busso V6.

[V AR 164]

Hahaha loved reading your post, pretty much sums up Alfa ownership perfectly.

They are awesome cars but just be careful how much you spend on them. The 156's are quite cheap these days so if you spend a couple thousand it's highly unlikely you would get it back if you are gonna sell it on in the future. Just something to keep in mind.

Anyway, I hope you get it sorted out and have many many more enjoyable km's in your new beast!

Andrew.

[Fergo86]

Thank you so much everyone, I just needed to share my pain!!! 

I know this car is worth it, I have only had 4 cyl cars and this V6 blows me away! 
You are right about the costs andrew, I guess an Auto electrician doing some rewiring  would be a good investment
Sportiva thanks for the tip, I´ll call him tomorrow.

I spent the evening under the bonnet with a LED lamp on my shirtfront, cleaned out the throttle body for the hell of it (makes a whirring noise when key is in MAR - is this a normal thing?) - trying to secure these two plugs, which I am pretty sure are a lamda sensor and a crankshaft position sensor... well with a bit of hose and plenty of tape, those cables are connected & car starts although the Injector warning light stays on...

So please, is it risky taking it carefully down the road to a computer?
Maybe I should wait for my KKL cable to arrive in 2 weeks and use ECUscanner

I have ordered a cam sensor and a lamda one from ebay.
online sites? Ive found Sparesbox.com.au but its a fair bit more pricey then ordering a part from the UK.(?)

[Mick A]

Hi mate,

The blue plug is the camshaft position sensor, which is located on the rear head just under the throttle body position. This is the reason for the poor performance. The ECU needs it as a reference. The green plug is the crank angle sensor. The engine will not fire the injectors or coils without this sensor working. I wouldn't think this problem you have is an oxy sensor at all, so no point in replacing those.

You've made one big mistake though, you've cleaned out the throttle body. You may as well throw it in the bin now, you cannot touch the butterfly under any circumstances. Once you operate it by hand you damage it's motor and module.

These are fantastic cars, I actually have one for sale now that is an update model, see buy/swap/sell section if interested.

Let me know if you need any more info.

Mick.

[Fergo86]

hey just an update that I am as happy as a pig in CV grease as I have been tearing into the Alfa!
She had been sitting basically idle for a few years and needed some love.
Throttle was working okay after I replaced coils and sparks, but I have to remake the breather system better the orig is all cracked.

Since I last posted I have replaced the battery, air filter, various sensors, sparks, coils, header gaskets, + cleaned injectors and fuel rails... Now I am just waiting on delivery of the new fuel pump and outer cv joint + thermostat 
  and still only $3k spent inc. purchase!

Steep learning curve but worth it. Learning lots of things, like everyone is a mechanic but no-one here in Maitland has been reading up on the Alfa 156 2.5 V6 CF2 as much as I have been lately
I may only have a manual in Spanish, another in French. (its okay I speak a little Spanish) but I have ECUscanner + cable and Alfa mechanic program on computer so although I am here in my backyard without a vice /workbench etc; I only had to get a hand with 3 things, grinding the axle nut socket down to fit - and got the garage to fit the aux belt, and get the outer CV joint off the axle with that PITA circlip!

One thing I still need to find out is the PSI rating for the short section of fuel line between the two fuel rails, is it still 50-60psi or higher as its after fuel pressure regulator?

some pics to show that although half naked, she is looking tidy compared to before, I just hope the aged timing belt holds together a few months while I save to change it. 

[Mick A]

You've done all that work...

And then you're going to take risk of a cambelt failure?

Think about it.

[poohbah]

Micks spot on mate. If the belt hasn't been changed in three years it's due. Don't undo all your good work by letting it go bang now. You are already in front if you've only spent $3k so far but it'll be $3K wasted if the belt goes.

[Fergo86]

she wont be going anywhere for a while, I just want to make sure it can run well before I undo it all again! I have backup car and live in town near work and shops.

I have had a few low quotes to do the belt and water pump but I may do it myself with some mates and guides- water pumps r about $120 + $600-700 for belt and tensioners etc. Tax return will be here soon 

[bonno]

Hi Fergo86
If you plan on undertaking the cam belt change, the following link might be useful in getting you prepared for the job. I will draw to your attention that this is only a guide and requires special tools (lock the cams, etc). If you have never performed a cam belt change of any kind then I would strongly recommend this work be done by an authorised mechanic or at the very least supervised by someone who is.
http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/alfa_v6_cam_belt.shtml
cheers
bonno

[Mick A]

What?! $700 for a cam belt kit?! That's way to expensive mate.

Look on eBay, you'll find SKF kits for around $450.

Don't do the timing belt on a V6 if you don't know what you're doing.

Mick.